Church nativities preparing to give back to the community

Calvary Baptist Church in King is hosting a Journey through Bethlehem, an outdoor walk-through nativity which encapsulates the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. The outdoor event drew 1,600 people last year.

Amanda Dodson | The Stokes News

The Lawsonville community has enjoyed the outdoor nativity put on by Peter’s Creek Baptist Church for the past 30 years.

Juanita Shelton | For The Stokes News

Peter’s Creek Baptist Church in Lawsonville will be hosting their annual outdoor nativity, Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10.

Juanita Shelton | For The Stokes News

Crowds will be lined up to walk through Peter’s Creek Baptist Church outdoor nativity, Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10 beginning at 6 and 7:30 p.m.

The church in Lawsonville has been offering the production to the community for the past 30 years.

“Everyone pitches in and does whatever needs to be done from set, to costumes, to lighting and sound. We use members from our church and surrounding church and community volunteers,” said church member and participant Ben Hall.

The live-action event details the life of Jesus from birth, ministry, death on the cross, resurrection and ascension into heaven and lasts about 30 minutes.

“There are no speaking parts; we just act out the events as the narrator, which is recorded, tells the story. There are songs and music that help as well.”

Live animals and moving props bring the story to life.

Hall said it takes around 50 volunteers for each performance.

“Our church’s mission statement is, ‘A Church on Mission for Him’. We do this performance every year because we know the impact this story can have on people’s lives. We believe that it is important for all people to see and hear the story of Jesus. There’s no admission charge, no offering plate passed, just a chance to see and hear the story of Christ and spend time with family and friends.”

In the past 30 years, the nativity has become a tradition for many in the community and Hall said no matter how many times people see it, they always leave impacted.

“The set and costumes are very detailed and the story stays true to the gospels. It is an extraordinary production from such a small church,” Hall said. “We hope the community sees it as a chance to take a moment to remember the true meaning of Christmas.”

Peter’s Creek Baptist Church is located at 6581 NC Hwy 8 North in Lawsonville. For more information, visit the church’s website at peterscreekbaptistchurch.org or their regularly updated Facebook page.

Calvary Baptist is hosting a Journey through Bethlehem

Calvary Baptist Church in King will be hosting a Journey through Bethlehem, an outdoor Christmas nativity, on December 14-16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“God blessed us with such a tremendous response from our community last year and people asked us to do it again,” said director of the event and minister of music at the church, Thomas Delp.

The 20 minute walk-through encapsulates the birth, death and resurrection of Christ.

A tour guide, dressed in biblical garb will lead groups of around 15 through different scenes beginning when Mary was told by an angel she would conceive and bring forth Jesus Christ.

Delp said the church added additional actors to the nativity since last year, along with new scenes, which children will specifically enjoy.

“We’ll also have golf carts to help seniors get back to their vehicles if needed,” Delp added.

The community embraced the interactive nativity last year and more than 1,600 people attended and received candy-filled Christmas stockings, along with cookies and hot chocolate.

“I think people enjoyed getting to experience the true meaning of Christmas in a fun, family-oriented way. Everyone loves making memories with family during the holidays and are constantly looking for things to do. The great part about this is it is absolutely free.”

Throughout the year Calvary Baptist also serves the community by offering a weekly Reformers Unanimous Additions Program, provides meals to the City of King employees and workers, cleans and picks up trash in parks, washes police cars and fire trucks, provides teacher appreciation baskets to all the schools in Stokes County, and takes part in a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

“We simply desire to show our community that Christ loves them and we do, too. We ask for nothing and expect nothing back,” Delp said.

For more information about a Journey through Bethlehem visit cbcking.org/journey.

If your church is hosting a Christmas nativity or holiday program for the community and would like to have it listed in The Stokes News church calendar, please email adodson@thestokesnews.com.

Amanda Dodson may be reached at 336-813-2426.

Calvary Baptist Church in King is hosting a Journey through Bethlehem, an outdoor walk-through nativity which encapsulates the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. The outdoor event drew 1,600 people last year.

https://www.thestokesnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_DSC_0050-2-.jpgCalvary Baptist Church in King is hosting a Journey through Bethlehem, an outdoor walk-through nativity which encapsulates the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. The outdoor event drew 1,600 people last year. Amanda Dodson | The Stokes News

The Lawsonville community has enjoyed the outdoor nativity put on by Peter’s Creek Baptist Church for the past 30 years.

https://www.thestokesnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Peter-home.jpgThe Lawsonville community has enjoyed the outdoor nativity put on by Peter’s Creek Baptist Church for the past 30 years. Juanita Shelton | For The Stokes News

Peter’s Creek Baptist Church in Lawsonville will be hosting their annual outdoor nativity, Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10.

https://www.thestokesnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_PetersCreekBaptistChurchNat.jpgPeter’s Creek Baptist Church in Lawsonville will be hosting their annual outdoor nativity, Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10. Juanita Shelton | For The Stokes News